Post
by martintaylor » Fri Dec 27, 2013 9:50 am
So, this is what our Christmas day turned out like.
Firstly, we decided to share Christmas with my sister-in-law's family on their farm in a small country town called Bethanga. It is situated near the border of New South Wales and Victoria about 650kms from home. So, the big road trip was on. My wife and I, my twin daughters, their boyfriends and my son all made our way to this sleepy farming community. I think we almost doubled the population when we arrived.
Christmas day started fairly normally with presents around the tree etc. lots of paper to recycle and as my daughters are both vegan, a slightly less traditional version of Christmas day lunch.
Then at lunch there was some commotion in the paddock nearest the house as the pet Alpaca gave birth to a Christmas baby (now named Chrissy). Lots of "awws and ahhs".
Then about an hour later we discovered the family pet goat Silky had died, so we had to dig a big grave, bury it and cover with a rock cairn. While digging the grave, Patrick (my son) pointed out that we were joined by a red bellied black snake that he had almost trodden on, which eventually slid into the grass. When questioned by Kaloe (Hawaiian boyfriend of one of my daughters) if they are very poisonous, in the words of my brother-in-law, "Aw, they'll stuff up your day, but you'll get over it".
In the late afternoon we decided to climb one of the hills behind the farm (beautiful scenic views of the Hume weir). On returning, an echidna decided to show up so Kaloe had a Christmas dream fulfilled.
Then Pete (the brother-in-law), after warning us all about the electric fence, lent on it and was tasered (oh how we laughed).
It was now dark and we headed back to the house only to have the male alpaca get a little agitated that we were going through his paddock so he launched himself at Laura (other daughter) and me and we ended up on the ground.
Christmas in Bethanga!
Hope your Christmas day was an enjoyable one where ever you are.